Toy vehicle and launch platform

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle system. The toy vehicle system includes a vehicle having a least one wheel. The vehicle is configured to generate at least one play effect via an effect apparatus of the vehicle responsive to spinning of the at least one wheel. The toy vehicle system includes a launch platform including a wheel spinning mechanism and a launch mechanism. The launch mechanism is configured to propel the vehicle from the launch platform in response to a launch event, and the wheel spinning mechanism configured to spin the at least one wheel of the vehicle prior to the launch event, thereby causing the vehicle to generate the play effect prior to being propelled from the launch platform.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/846,211, filed on Sep. 20, 2006, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Toy vehicles have been popular play items for many years. Scaled toyvehicles remain engaging toys for children and have found value ascollector items for children and adults. Children enjoy a variety ofdifferent toy vehicles and continually seek new toy vehicles with whichto play. Also, children enjoy finding new ways to play with toyvehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary toy vehicle in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows the toy vehicle of FIG. 1 with spinning rear wheels,thereby generating play effects.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary launch platform spinning the rear wheels ofthe toy vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the toy vehicle of FIG. 1 being launched from the launchplatform of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the toy vehicle and launcher of FIGS. 3 and 4 withassociated packaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a toy vehicle that includes one ormore exciting features that are activated by the spinning of one or moreof the vehicle's wheels. The spinning wheels can activate enginevibrations, vehicle lighting, sounds, and/or other features. In order toshowcase the exciting features of the toy vehicle, a vehicle launchercan be configured to spin the vehicle's wheels while the vehicle remainsin a stationary position, thus allowing the exciting vehicle features tobe appreciated before the vehicle races away.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary model vehicle 10, which in one example, may bea 1/64 scale toy vehicle. However, various other scales may be used,such as 1/10, 1/50, 1/100, 1/120, 1/200, and others. The model vehiclecan be a collectible item, and/or may be a performance vehicle that canbe configured to be used on associated tracks and/or other equipment.While FIG. 1 shows an example toy car, the vehicle may be of varioustypes, such as a truck, a station wagon, a sport utility vehicle, a dunebuggy, a motorcycle, an 18-wheeler, a dump truck, a bicycle, or anyother suitable vehicle.

Toy vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. 1 having spinable front wheels 12 andrear wheels 14. While two sets of wheels (with two wheels each) areshown for an example toy car, the toy vehicle may have more or fewerwheels, which may or may not be in sets. Further, the sets may have morethan two wheels, such as, for example, three, four, etc. For example,the toy vehicle may be a motorcycle with a front wheel and a rear wheel.Alternatively, it may be a vehicle having three sets of two wheels.

Furthermore, toy vehicle 10 may include engine 16 having pistons 18. Inthe illustrated embodiment, engine 16 and pistons 18 are oversized andprotrude from a rear portion of vehicle 10 to highlight various enginecomponents. It should be appreciated that the engine may simulate anysuitable engine type (e.g., V-6, V-8, V-12, I-6, I-4, etc.). In someembodiments, the engine further may include a supercharger orturbocharger to indicate that the car is fast and/or powerful.Furthermore, the engine may be fantastically oversized beyond anauthentic scale compared to the rest of the toy vehicle in order toemphasize the potential power of the engine such that it may elicitexcitement in a child.

Toy vehicle 10 may include various other components found on anauthentic car. For example, toy vehicle 10 may include various windows,such as a front windshield, side windows, and a rear windshield. Toyvehicle 10 may include different lights, such as brake lights which maybe disposed in a rear bumper of vehicle 10, and front head lightsdisposed in a front bumper of vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the toyvehicle may include an oversized exhaust pipe similar to the oversizedengine to emphasize the power of the engine.

Furthermore, toy vehicle 10 may include other authentic automobileexterior components, for example, doors, roof, trunk, side panels, frontand rear fenders, gas cap, etc. Also, various aspects of these and othercomponents may be designed to be oversized or extreme to draw a child toplay with the toy vehicle.

Note that in some embodiments, the toy vehicle may be painted withbright colors and complex color schemes. Further, the toy vehicle mayhave various radical exterior decals such as flames, dragons, companylogos, or the like. Additionally, the toy vehicle may include highlypolished chrome-looking exterior components, such as the engine,fenders, exhaust pipe, wheels, etc.

Note that FIG. 1 shows toy vehicle 10 in an inert state without any ofits components moving or operating.

Now turning to FIG. 2, toy vehicle 10 is shown with rear wheels 14spinning. The spinning of the wheels may cause toy vehicle 10 to producevarious play effects. In particular, one or more play effects may begenerated via an effect apparatus of toy vehicle 10. The effectapparatus may generate the play effect(s) responsive to spinning of thewheels. For example, the toy vehicle may include an effect apparatus toproduce lights, actions, and/or sounds. In the illustrated embodiment,spinning of rear wheels 14 causes several different play effects to begenerated. In particular, light is emitted from rear wheels 14 andengine 16. The light may be generated by an effect apparatus within thevehicle. Further, sound is generated by the same (or different) effectsapparatus, and pistons 18 pump up and down alternatively. In anotherexample, spinning of the rear wheels may cause an effect apparatus togenerate vibrations which may make one or more components of the toyvehicle rumble.

In some embodiments, one or more of the effect apparatuses may beenergized from the kinetic energy of the vehicle via the spinningwheels. In some embodiments, one or more of the components can beenergized from another source, such as a battery, a photocell, or acharged capacitor. Alternatively, or additionally, an effect apparatusmay be in operative communication with the wheels and spinning of thewheels may generate mechanical actuation of the effect apparatus.

Further, as another non-limiting example, a toy vehicle may generate arumbling play effect that may be cam actuated. In particular, one ormore of the vehicle wheels may be linked to an axle. The axle mayinclude one or more cam lobes configured to interact with one or moredifferent mechanical components or systems. The axle may rotate causingthe cam lobe to directly interact with the engine component causing theengine to move responsive to the slope of the cam lobe, thus creating arumble effect. As an example, the cam may be mechanically linked to theengine, and cam motion may be translated into vertical motion at theengine pistons. In another example, the cam lobe may indirectly interactwith the engine components via one or more intermediate components. Suchintermediate components can translate cam motion to lateral, rocking,and/or tilting engine motion. In some embodiments, the engine mayinclude one or more ramped surfaces to engage the cams and/orintermediate components, so that vertical forces can be translated intoforces with horizontal elements.

In some embodiments, a plurality of cam lobes with different shapeprofiles may be disposed on the axle. The different cam profiles mayprovide a varied rumble or vibration sequence that may be repeated asthe wheels spin. Furthermore, in some embodiments the mechanical rumbleaction of the engine component may be gear driven where different sizedgears may transmit motion to create lift and/or lateral motion to theengine component during wheel spin. Note that in some embodiments othervehicle components may rumble or vibrate due to cam actuation. Forexample, the exhaust pipe, hood, trunk, and/or roof, among others.

In another non-limiting example, a toy vehicle may generate play effectsvia electronic effect apparatuses and/or other electronic components,which may optionally be cam driven and/or cam initiated. Further, thetoy vehicle may include one or more cam lobes disposed on an axle, wherethe cam lobes may be configured to interact with one or more differentelectronic effect apparatuses.

For example, during wheel spin the axle may rotate causing the cam lobesto repeatedly come into contact with one or more electrical contactpad(s) of an effect apparatus. When the cam lobes make contact with thecontact pad(s), an electric circuit may be completed which in turn mayactivate lights, actions, and/or sounds. In some embodiments, therepeated contact pattern of the cam lobe(s) with the contact pad(s) maycreate an operational sequence, such as flashing lights for example. Thespeed of the sequence may be dictated by the rate of rotation of theaxle (i.e. wheel spin speed). Further, in some embodiments, theelectrical components may be non-operational when the cam lobes do notinteract with the contact pads.

In another example, the cam may interact with an electrical component(e.g. complete an electrical circuit) or toggle a switch to activate oneor more electronic effect apparatuses. In particular, the cam maytrigger a sequence of different flashing lights for a period of time.Also, the cam may trigger a sound box to play a sound clip for a periodof time. Further, the cam may trigger an electronic vibration mechanismto operate for a period of time. Note that in some embodiments one ormore of the play effects may be linked to the same trigger. Further, insome embodiments, two or more different electronic effect apparatusesmay be triggered independently.

Further, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments a toy vehiclemay include both electronic and mechanical effect apparatuses that maybe actuated and/or initiated by a cam. Also, mechanical and/orelectrical systems can be actuated by a mechanism that does not utilizea cam.

Note that in the illustrated embodiment, the direction that the wheelsspin does not dictate the output or operation of different components.However, in some embodiments, spinning the wheels in a forward directionmay initiate one set of play effects to be generated, and spinning thewheels in rearward direction may initiate a second set of play effectsto be generated. In some embodiments, spinning the wheels in aparticular direction, for example, a reverse direction may not activateany play effects.

In some embodiments, different vehicle components may emit light atvarious levels or may have a particular level of translucency to emitlight. For example, the side windows and rear windshield may be slightlytinted or toned a particular color, while the front windshield may besubstantially translucent to simulate the window configuration of anauthentic car with tinted windows. As another example, the windows maybe tinted different colors or the same color. Furthermore, the windowsmay be tinted bright colors such that light projected through thewindows may be brightly colored. Additionally, other automobile lightcomponents may have different color tints. For example, brake lights maybe colored red while head lights may be colored clear, yellow, or blue,for example. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the toyvehicle may include lights throughout the vehicle. For example, lightsmay be located within the cabin of the vehicle, in the front bumper, inthe engine, on an exterior light rack, in side panels, in the wheels,etc. Further, light may be emitted from different areas of the vehicleat different times to create light patterns, such as a flashing lightpattern, for example.

In some embodiments, the light emitting components may be substantiallyclear in order to accurately emit colored lights within the toy vehicleduring operation. Any suitable light producing unit, may be used, forexample light emitting diodes may be used because they may be producedin various sizes and colors and have a long operational life span andrelatively low energy requirements. However, other light sources mayadditionally or alternatively be used.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to utilize translucent ortransparent wheels so that light can shine through the wheels. Forexample, one or more of the front and/or rear wheels may have certaintranslucent or transparent aspects. Light may be applied to all wheelsat the same time, to one wheel at a time, to only the front wheels, toonly the back wheels, to only the left wheels, to only the right wheels,or in a predetermined or random order to various individual wheels orcombinations of wheels.

In some embodiments, an entire tire portion of the wheel may betranslucent, and light may be applied to the entire translucent portion.In other embodiments, light may be applied to only portions of thewheels. For example, a wheel may include one or more light emittingdiodes. Furthermore, the toy vehicle may include different lightconfigurations that may produce different lighting effects.

As discussed above, spinning the wheels of toy vehicle 10 may produceplay effects such as causing various portions of the vehicle to lightup. As another example, spinning the wheels may cause selected vehiclecomponents to vibrate or rumble. More particularly, engine 16 mayvibrate and/or pistons 18 may pump up and down to simulate that theengine is running and/or revving. Furthermore, the engine vibrations maycause the rest of the toy vehicle to rumble. In some embodiments,vibration may be generated by other vehicle components besides theengine, such as the exhaust tailpipe for example. Vibration or rumblingmay be produced at various rates to simulate various engine speeds.Further, a vibration routine or looped rumble sequence may be carriedout to indicate idling, revving, and/or opening the throttle wide open.

As discussed above, spinning the wheels of toy vehicle 10 may alsoproduce sounds. The sounds emitted from toy vehicle 10 may includeautomobile related sounds, nonlimiting examples of which include enginenoise, horns, screeching or skidding tires, etc. Furthermore, the soundsmay include music, such as popular songs and/or race themed songs. Songsmay relate to a theme of a toy vehicle. For example, a motorcyclevehicle may play the song “Bad to the Bone” when its wheels spin. Asanother example, a toy vehicle fashioned after the “Batmobile” may playthe “Batman” theme song. Additionally, sounds may be voices speakingdifferent phrases. For example, when the toy vehicle's wheels spin, avoice may say “Start your engines!!!” In some embodiments, the voicethat speaks the phrase may correspond to a fictional character or actualperson that is associated with a theme of the toy vehicle. In stillother embodiments, cross advertising may be used to promote variousother toy related products. For example, a toy vehicle may be used in anassociated television show, and the toy vehicle may play the theme songof the television show.

Note that in some embodiments the emitted sounds may be synchronized ortimed to correspond with the flashing of the lights and/or vibrations oftoy vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments one ormore of the lights, actions, or sounds may be non-operational duringwheel spin or omitted from toy vehicle 10 all together. In oneparticular example, the toy vehicle may include a selector that isconfigured to switch the configuration of the play effects producedresponsive to spinning of the wheels of the vehicle. For example, theselector may switch between two modes. The first mode may generatelights and sound and the second mode may generate lights, sounds, andvibrations. As another example, the selector may switch toggle between amode where play effects are generated and a mode where no play effectsare generated. It should be appreciated that the toy vehicle may haveany suitable number of play effect configurations and that the selectormay select between the different play effect configurations.

FIGS. 3 and 4 somewhat schematically show toy vehicle 10 interactingwith an exemplary launcher or launch platform. Referring to FIG. 3, toyvehicle 10 may be positioned on launch platform 30. Launch platform 30may include wheel spin mechanism 32 that may be configured to spin atleast one wheel of toy vehicle 10 while retaining toy vehicle 10 onlaunch platform 30. Wheel spin mechanism 32 may include rollers 34 thatmay be partially disposed in the surface of launch platform 30, suchthat toy vehicle 10 may be positioned on roller 34 and orientated in aposition where toy vehicle 10 may be launched from the launch platform30. Rollers 34 may be spinable such that the wheels on toy vehicle 10may spin in a particular direction, thus causing toy vehicle 10 togenerate play effects. Rollers 34 may spin in response to actuation ofspin trigger 36. In the illustrated embodiment, spin trigger 36 is alever that may be pulled downward to wind a set of internal gears inoperative communication with rollers 34. Upon release of the lever, thewound gears may unwind causing the rollers to spin. In particular, whenthe wheels of the toy vehicle contact the spinning roller, frictionbetween the wheels and the rollers may cause the wheels to startspinning. Furthermore, directional force produced by the rollers may betransferred to the wheels causing the wheels to keep spinning. Therollers may include material or texture to increase friction between thewheels and the rollers. For example, the rollers may be rubberized andmay be textured with ridges to grip the wheels of the toy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the wheel spin mechanism may be electricallyactuated. For example, the rollers may be connected to an electric motorthat upon excitation may spin the rollers. In such a configuration, thewheel spin mechanism may be activated by any suitable type of selector,for example a radio button, toggle switch, dial, etc.

Toy vehicle 10 may be retained on launch platform 30 by wheel retainers38 during actuation of wheel spin mechanism 32. Wheel retainers 38 mayprotrude from the surface of launch platform 30 and may be shaped to fitthe contour of the front wheels 12 of toy vehicle 10. Thus, even if therear wheels of the toy vehicle spin via the wheel spin mechanism,forward motion of the vehicle may be inhibited by the wheel retainersand the toy vehicle may be retained on the launch platform. By retainingthe toy vehicle in the launch platform while spinning the wheels of thetoy vehicle, the play effects can be easily viewed, thus increasing theenjoyment of a child.

Note that although the rollers are not described as spinning in aparticular direction, it should be appreciated that in some embodimentsthe rollers may spin in a counter clockwise direction or a clockwisedirection. Furthermore, the wheel spin mechanism may be configured tospin the rollers in a first direction and then in a second direction inthe case where a toy vehicle is configured to perform different sets ofplay effects based on the direction that the wheels spin.

In an alternative embodiment, the launch platform may include a launchsurface with slots for each wheel of the toy vehicle. The slots mayprovide access points for the wheels to contact an internal belt drivewhich may spin the wheels of toy vehicle 10 in order to generate playeffects while maintaining the toy vehicle in a stationary position.

Launch platform 30 may include safety 46 disposed on the underside oflaunch platform 30. Safety 46 may be in operative communication withlaunch mechanism 40 (shown in FIG. 4). Safety 46 may be configured tomove between a first position where safety 46 protrudes from theunderside of launch platform 30 and a second position where safety 46retracts into the underside of launch platform 30. Safety 46 may bemoved from the first position to the second position upon launchplatform 30 being placed on a surface. Upon safety 46 being in the firstposition, safety 46 may prevent launch mechanism 40 from actuating andthus prevent toy vehicle 10 from being launched from launch platform 30.Upon safety 46 being in the second position, safety 46 may not inhibitlaunch mechanism 40 from actuating and thus permits toy vehicle 10 to belaunched from launch platform 30. In one example, safety 46 may includea two stage catch connected to launch arm 42. The two stage catch maypermit launch arm 42 to actuate partially when safety 46 is in the firstposition and may permit launch arm 42 to actuate fully when safety 46 isin the second position. Safety 46 may prevent actuation of launchmechanism 40 and the launch of toy vehicle 10 from launch platform 30when launch platform 30 is not placed on a surface. In this way,unintentional launch of toy vehicle 10 from launch platform 30 may beinhibited.

FIG. 4 shows toy vehicle 10 being launched from launch platform 30. Toyvehicle 10 may be launched from launch platform 30 via a launchmechanism 40 that may provide lateral force to propel toy vehicle 10forward off of the launch platform. Launch mechanism 40 may includelaunch arm 42 that may be spring biased and may generate lateral forceto propel toy vehicle 10 via release of the spring force. Furthermore,launch mechanism 40 may be activated by launch trigger 44 which may beany suitable selector, such as for example, a toggle switch, ripcord,trigger, radio button, dial, etc. In particular, launch arm 42 may beretracted and held in a spring loaded position, and upon depression oflaunch trigger 44, launch arm 42 may be released and the spring forcemay cause launch arm 42 to move forward and apply a launching force therear of toy vehicle 10. Launch arm 42 may contact toy vehicle 10 withenough force to thrust toy vehicle 10 forward off of rollers 34. Launchtrigger 44 may be in operative communication with wheel retainers 38,such that depressing launch trigger 42 causes wheel retainers 38 tolower below the surface of launch platform 30. By lowering the wheelretainers when the launch trigger is depressed, the wheel retainers maynot inhibit the toy vehicle from being propelled from the launchplatform, thus improving the launch of the toy vehicle from theplatform.

As discussed above, safety 46 may be configured to enable launch arm 42to fully extend to apply a launching force to toy vehicle 10 when thesafety is in a retracted position within the launch platform. In theillustrated embodiment, launch platform 30 is shown placed on a surfacewith safety 46 retracted into launch platform 30. Thus, the launch armmay not be inhibited and may extend to launch the toy vehicle from thelaunch platform.

In some embodiments, the launch mechanism may generate an alternativetype of propulsion to launch the toy vehicle from the launch platform.For example, the launch mechanism may generate air pressure to propelthe toy vehicle from the launch platform.

In some embodiments, the launch platform may be configured such thatdepressing the launch trigger may start a launch sequence where thewheel spin mechanism is activated to demonstrate the play effects (e.g.lights, actions, and sounds) produced by the toy vehicle based on wheelspin prior to launch of the toy vehicle from the launch platform. Thisdemonstration may be automatically followed by triggering of the launcharm causing the toy vehicle to be thrust forward off of the launchplatform.

In some embodiments, the launch platform may generate lights, actions,and sounds or other play effects similar to the toy vehicle duringactivation of the wheel spin mechanism, the launch mechanism, and/or alaunch sequence. For example, the launch platform may generate acountdown sequence with lights and/or sound. Further, the launchmechanism may rumble prior to launch.

In still other embodiments, the launch mechanism may include a pluralityof buttons to trigger different sequences and/or generate differentlights, actions, and sounds or other play effects.

It should be appreciated that the combination of toy vehicle 10 andlaunch mechanism 40 may substantially improve the play value of the toyvehicle 10 by providing a launch mechanism that highlights the excitingaspects of toy vehicle 10, namely, the lights, actions, sounds, and/oradditional or alternative play effects, that come to life when thevehicle wheels spin. The launch platform also provides a mechanism forlaunching the toy vehicle at exciting speeds. While launch mechanism 40is provided as a nonlimiting example, it should be understood that othermechanisms may be used to launch the vehicle after a spinning mechanismhas spun up the vehicle's wheels and caused the dynamic features of thevehicle to come to life.

FIG. 5 shows toy vehicle 10 and launch platform 30 in an example package50. Package 50 is shown as it might appear to a consumer at a retailstore. For display purposes at a point of sale, package 50 may beconfigured to stand on a shelf, hang from a rack or be stacked. Package50 may be shaped and positioned/orientated to facilitate access tolaunch platform 30, and more specifically to spin trigger 36. The accessportion generally referenced at 52 may be large enough for a consumer toactuate spin trigger 36 in order to demonstrate the play effects of toyvehicle 10.

The design of package 50 may potentially improve the marketing andprofitability of toy vehicle 10 and launch platform 30 by allowing aconsumer to demonstrate or test the playable aspects of toy vehicle 10and launch platform 30 before purchase. Specifically, access portion 52may enable a consumer to trigger wheel spin of toy vehicle 10 in orderto demonstrate the lights, actions, and sounds generated by toy vehicle10. Furthermore, package 50 may include instructions that direct aconsumer to test the playable aspects of toy vehicle 10. In theillustrated embodiment, package 50 may include the phrase “TRY ME”presented in bold letters and bright colors located in proximity toaccess portion 52 in order to draw the attention of a consumer todemonstrate the play effect of toy vehicle 10 and/or launch platform 30.In some embodiments, the package may further include product featuresthat correspond to the playable aspects of the toy vehicle and furthermay communicate them to a consumer.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the shape of the package maycorrespond to playable aspects or significant features of the toyvehicle. For example, the package may be shaped like an oversized enginethat may be graphically displayed on the package. The graphical designand corresponding package cutouts may draw attentions to the playableaspects of the toy vehicle. In this example, the oversized engine may beassociated with the lights, actions, and sounds that may be produced bythe oversized engine in the toy vehicle.

In this way, marketing of the toy vehicle and launch platform may beimproved by providing access to demonstrate or test the playable aspectsof the toy vehicle and the launch platform, namely, spinning the wheelsto produce lights, actions and sounds. In addition, the shape of thepackage and corresponding graphics may further highlight the playableaspects of the toy vehicle, thus potentially persuading a consumer topurchase the toy vehicle.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinctinventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions hasbeen disclosed in its example form, the specific embodiments thereof asdisclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limitingsense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter includesall novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of thevarious elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosedherein.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations offeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed. Suchclaims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directedto the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal inscope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within thesubject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

1. A toy vehicle system, comprising: a vehicle having a least one wheel,the vehicle configured to generate at least one play effect via aneffect apparatus of the vehicle responsive to spinning of the at leastone wheel; and a launch platform including a wheel spinning mechanismand a launch mechanism, the launch mechanism configured to propel thevehicle from the launch platform in response to a launch event, and thewheel spinning mechanism configured to spin the at least one wheel ofthe vehicle prior to the launch event, thereby causing the vehicle togenerate the play effect prior to being propelled from the launchplatform.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle being propelledfrom the launch platform via the launch mechanism causes spinning of theat least one wheel thereby causing the vehicle to generate the playeffect during travel of the vehicle away from the launch platform. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle includes a light and theat least one play effect includes illuminating the light.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle includes a sound generator, and theat least one play effect includes generating sounds with the soundgenerator.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle includes atleast one moveable piston, and the at least one play effect includesreciprocating the piston.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the effectapparatus is electrically powered.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theeffect apparatus is cam actuated.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thelaunch mechanism includes a spring and the vehicle is propelled viaspring force generated from release of the spring.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the launch platform further includes a ramp portionconfigured to position the vehicle at an angle with a rear portion ofthe vehicle above a front portion of the vehicle.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the launch mechanism is configured to retain thevehicle on the ramp portion prior to the launch event.
 11. A launchplatform for a toy vehicle having at least one wheel, the launchplatform comprising: an inclined ramp surface for supporting the toyvehicle; a stop to selectively restrict movement of the toy vehicle downthe inclined ramp surface; a roller assembly to spin the at least onewheel of the toy vehicle while the toy vehicle remains stationary on theinclined ramp surface; a launch arm to selectively exert a launchingforce to the toy vehicle; a launch trigger to activate the launch arm toexert a launching force to the toy vehicle, the launch trigger alsoreleasing the stop to allow the toy vehicle to move down the inclinedramp surface.
 12. The launch platform of claim 11, further comprising: aspin trigger to activate the roller assembly to spin the at least onewheel of the toy vehicle.
 13. The launch platform of claim 12, whereinthe spin trigger includes a lever in operative communication with a gearset to spin the roller assembly, the gear set being wound in response tothe lever traveling in a first direction, and the gear set unwinding andspinning the roller assembly in response to the lever traveling in asecond direction.
 14. The launch platform of claim 11, furthercomprising a launch safety having a first orientation and a secondorientation, in the first orientation the launch safety inhibiting thelaunch arm from exerting a launching force to the toy vehicle, and inthe second orientation the launch safety allowing the launch arm toexert a launching force to the toy vehicle.
 15. The launch platform ofclaim 14, wherein the launch safety is located on the underside of thelaunch platform, wherein, in the first orientation, the launch safetyprotrudes from the underside of the launch platform, and wherein, in thesecond orientation, the launch safety is retracted from the underside ofthe launch platform.
 16. The launch platform of claim 11, wherein thelaunch arm is spring biased and activation of the launch arm by thelaunch trigger exerts spring force to the toy vehicle.
 17. The launchplatform of claim 11, wherein the stop is configured to retract belowthe inclined ramp surface in response to activation of the launchtrigger.
 18. A toy vehicle system, comprising: a toy vehicle having atleast one wheel and an engine with a plurality of pistons, the vehicleconfigured to reciprocate the plurality of pistons and generate lightfrom the engine and the at least one wheel responsive to spinning of theat least one wheel; and a launch platform including an inclined rampsurface for supporting the toy vehicle, a stop to selectively restrictmovement of the toy vehicle down the inclined ramp surface, a rollerassembly to spin the at least one wheel of the toy vehicle while the toyvehicle remains stationary on the inclined ramp surface, a spin triggerto activate the roller assembly to spin the at least one wheel of thetoy vehicle, a launch arm to selectively exert a launching force to thetoy vehicle, a launch trigger to activate the launch arm to exert alaunching force to the toy vehicle, the launch trigger also releasingthe stop to allow the toy vehicle to move down the inclined rampsurface.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the toy vehicle is furtherconfigured to generate sound in response to spinning of the at least onewheel.
 20. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of pistonsreciprocate via cam actuation.